Humberston Swan's Orchard

Has been described as a Questionable Fortified Manor House

There are no visible remains

NameHumberston Swan's Orchard
Alternative Names
Historic CountryLeicestershire
Modern AuthorityLeicester; City of
1974 AuthorityLeicestershire
Civil ParishLeicester

VCH records this site as a 'moated inclosure with stronger defensive works.'

In 'Swan's Orchard' is a rectangular site containing a low mound cinctured by a small fosse, surrounded by a moat 28 ft. wide and 18ft. deep, with a rampart on each side except the north. Two other banks and ditches branch from the north side and extend in the form of a right angle. (VCH, 1907)

Gatehouse Comments

Excavated in 1955 when the foundations of an early C13 house and a successor C15 house were found. The 'moat' was interpreted as mutilated fishponds, although the plan in Rhatz does show why these could be interpreted as a strong moat. The site was descheduled and levelled in the early 1970's.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSK630058
Latitude52.6470603942871
Longitude-1.06921994686127
Eastings463070
Northings305890
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • McKinley, R.A., 1958, 'Parishes added since 1892: Humberstone' VCH Leicestershire Vol. 4: The City of Leicester p. 439- (manorial history) online transcription
  • Kendall, G.E., 1916, Humberstone (manorial history)
  • Wall, C., 1907, 'Ancient Earthworks' in Page, Wm, (ed), VCH Leicestershire Vol. 1 p. 267 online copy

Journals

  • Rhatz, P., 1959, 'Humberstone Earthwork, Leicestershire' Transactions of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society Vol. 35 (plan) p. 1-32 online copy